Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-04-14
POTATO CULTURE.

As number OF the readers of the
CHRONICLE have requested me 10 give
my method of cultivation. and with per-
mission of the editor, We will endeAVOr
TO give some of the essentials necessary
to the successful growth of potatoes. In
selecting ground, choose rich mellow
soil, with sandy loan; clover sod or new
ground is well adapted, and We have
had better results. Than from timothy or
bluegrass sod. Tough limestone soil,
which we value so highly for corn. hest
and grass, will yield but partial crop
of imperfect POTATOES, as it becomes too
hard by continuous rains, and those who
select this kind of soil will not make it
paying crop. To increase the yield,
use liberal amount of we'll rotted sta
ble manure, wood ashes and CONNER
cial fertilizers also assist if drilled pref
vious to planting. Plow deep, and thor
Oughly pulVerize the soil-the Acme or
hinge harrow, aud roller or drag Will
put the ground in good order; this will
save tine and labor, and give the plant
a good send of. Mark the rows three
feet wide, run the furrows very deep, as
the potato requires great deal of moist
ure-cover with corn coverer, to 319
inches deep. La selecting seed choose a
medium to large potato, rather than
small ones. have raised splendid large
potatoes from small seed, but If cOntin"
uOusly planted will undoubtedly yield q
larger per cent of small ones. Ii plant
ing early. and the ground moist, we cut
To one eye: but if the soil is dry we
take less risk in cutting to 2 to 8 eyes,
cut to center of potato, aud leave as
much flesh dir city under the eye as size
of potato will admit. If the ground is
rich, drill iuches apart in row; this
will take from to 10 bushels per acre.
and will give much larger yield than
planting 10 hill. We have raised as
many potatoes by cutting to one or two
eyes, as the old method of quarteriug. or
half, or the whole tuber. aud there is
ecohomy in this method when they are
selling high. We have tried cutting and
willing them a few days previous TO
planting, with but little success-preferI
TO cut and plant 5000. Two or three
sprouts broken off potatoes Injuries their
growth; select those whose germs are
well developed. Harrow just as soon
as the tops begin to show above ground
this kills small weeds and gives 4
good start; keep the soil loose and well
cultivated until the potatoes commence
10 bloom, when they should be laid by.
If the latter part of season is wet great
many weeds will start; run the plow
cepter of rows, and pull by
hand the weeds under the vines when
the ground Is damp. Keep the ground
clear Of weeds if you would possess an
disposition at digging time.
Choose IA dry time TO dig, and if a num-
Der of acres are planted, good digger
will expedite the business S-MCCallum'
is highly recommended by Bro. Terry
We sort in the field, leaving all small
ones TOR stock, which pay better TO feed |
than haul TO market; if sold should be |
sold as seconds.
The greatest enemy to the growing
crop is drOuJh, whils the Colorado ana
long black bugs are very destructive,
some seasons, but Paris Green thorough |
ly applied, after the dew Is off. Will tx |
terminate them. We use Paris Green |
and waller; take a broom corD whisk |
and sprinkle. A great many persons
neglect to I" bug at the proper |
time, and lose large per cent The
long black bugs often make their ap |
pearauce in hay harvest, and will RUIN
the vines in day or two. if not prompt |
ly attended to. l know a man who
planted 10 bushels of seed. and let the
black bugs destroy his patch in harvest.
He told me he would have TO buy for
seed and table use.
We have raised a number Of varieties. |
but fiDd the Burbank the best yielder,
and very salable potato, quoted higher
than the Rose in Cleveland and Pitts.
burgh. White Star, White Elephant,
Rural Blush. Empire State, NJ. Pearl. |
st. Patrick. are all good medium and |
late varieties. Early Ohio. Michigan |
Rose, Watson Seeding, Early Vermont,
Clark's No. l. Beauty of Hebron aud
Early Rose, ,are all choice early varieties,
but differ materially in their respective
Yields A number of new varieties an.
Dually Gnd their way into print, and are
sold at fabulous prices, which upon trial.
are found to be almost worthless. Test
new varieties In small way each year.
and hold on to those only that have
proved success. Be satisfied with 200
to 250 bushels per acre during term of
do your very best to make it |
800 per acre. We favor level culture,
AS the soil retains moisture better. and
pota' oes are less liable to sunburn.
1t is laboriOus work growing and
potatoes, therefore make as
few landings as possible. We think
the best plan is to sell them in the fall,
while the roads are solid, and take no
risk of frost. rot and shrinkage; this
will avoid hauling during the rush of
spring work.
If any of the above suggestions prove
helpful to the new beginner, our object
is accomplished. ASA Fl. HoGE.
The Verdict Unanimous